Fifteen tips for happy op shopping

1.      Always try on clothes before buying. Don’t think “ahh it’s cheap it won’t matter” as you’ll end up with a closet full of clothes you can’t wear.

2.      Never go expecting to find something. It’s not a retail store – it’s pot luck.

3.      Always go around stock-take sale time or at the end of seasons. Op shops will do clearouts.

4.      You will always find winter clothes at summer time and vice versa. We usually throw winter clothes out when we are sweltering and summer clothes out in winter when we can’t think about wearing that little amount of clothes.

5.      Always visit op shops around wealthier suburbs – they throw out the best stuff with store tags often still in place. They have the best finds and designer clothes. I always shop at op shops in select suburbs of Brisbane, North Sydney, inner-city Melbourne and around Noosa.

6.      Don’t think op shops are just for skinny minnies – most of us throw clothes out when we start to lose weight so often you will find brilliant clothes in all sizes (some often with the tags still on).

7.      Take the time to explore. Sometimes you can quickly run in and grab something in less than five minutes but often you need time to go through the racks.

8.      Op shops have cottoned on to the fact that people don’t think there are bargains so have often done the hard work for you – and have label racks now.

9.      The bigger chain of op shop are generally more expensive than the little charity shops.

10.  Join VIP lists – Endeavour has a great VIP program where it will often announce fashion parade and new-season events.

11.  Try to have cash on you. While most op shops now have EFPTOS facilities, it is easier for the charities if you have money.

12.  Make sure you donate back. Give your old clothes and items back to charity bins (don’t dump outside the bins as that is just rude!).

13.  The staff are volunteers – give them an extra smile. They are legends.

14.  All money goes to charity. If you can, round up your bill. If it comes to $11.50 give them $12. At the end of day, op shops are generally the main source of income for many charities.

15.  Op shops aren’t just for clothes. Some op shops (particularly the Lifeline at Virginia) have wonderful knick knacks and furniture.